Solar/electromagnetic energy collector, solar heating element, solar lamp

ABSTRACT

This invention provides a unique Solar/Electromagnetic Energy Cell, Solar/Electromagnetic Energy Collector which can be used to harness solar energy, Solar Lamp which provides light from the output provided by Energy Collector/Cell, Solar Heating Element which can provide energy for cooking food, water heater, room heater or any heating application.

REFERENCES CITED

US Patent Documents 4045246 August, 1977 Mlavsky et al. 136/246. 4337759July, 1982 Popovich et al. 126/684. 4344417 August, 1982 Malecek126/687. 4581897 April, 1986 Sankrithi 126/680. 4788555 November, 1988Schultz et al. 126/438. 5404868 April, 1995 Sankrithi 126/604. 5,507,276April, 1996 Holland; Beecher J. 126/693 5,529,054 June, 1996 Shoen; NeilC. 126/681 5,653,222 August, 1997 Newman; Michael D. 126/653 6061181May, 2000 Fereidooni 359/625. 6,131,565 October, 2000 Mills; David126/577 6,598,601 July, 2003 Schutz; Udo 126/655 6,700,054 March, 2004Cherney; Matthew 136/246

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to Solar/Electromagnetic Cell( referred as EnergyCell hereafter) and Solar/Electromagnetic Energy Collector system(referred as Energy Collector system hereafter) capable of harnessingsolar energy without tracking position of Sun. This also describes abasic Solar lamp and Solar Heating Element which can be used to providelighting and heating respectively.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The Solar cell and Solar/Electromagnetic energy Collector systempresented here is unique in the sense of not only being simple but itallows the concentrated energy to be transported to a location differentthan where its collected.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVE OF INVENTION

Center of this invention is Energy Cell. This is based on the principleof electromagnetic/optical reflection. Sun light or electromagneticwaves falling on vertical cone shape cells get trapped in and are guidedinto narrow tubes. Diameter of these tubes is much smaller than that ofthe mouth of the cone and hence leads to energy concentration. Output ofthese tubes can be further combined in a similar fashion to achievefurther concentration.

Once an Energy collector system is deployed for collecting solar energy,output from these tubes can be used in various ways. Some of theexamples are as below.

-   -   a. These tubes can be wired in a building and Solar Lamp can be        connected at the end, thereby providing the lighting.    -   b. Output of Energy collector can be given to a generator which        can convert this into electricity.    -   c. Output of Energy collector can be used for cooking food,        heating water and buildings.

Energy cells can be used to collect electromagnetic radiation as well,thereby acting as antennas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. I. This shows two different types of Energy Cells

FIG. 2 This shows Energy Collector system with Type-II cells

FIG. 3 This shows Energy Collector system with Type-I cells

FIG. 4 This shows how output from each Cell can be combined together

FIG. 5 This shows a Solar Heating Element

FIG. 6 This shows a Solar Lamp

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Energy Cell (FIG. 1)

Two different types of cells can be used. The cell with lens providesgreater efficiency. Each cell consists of two parts. These could becombined in one as well. Top portion is above boundary A-B. Top of thesecells can be hexagonal, octagonal, or any other shape. Diameter shrinkstowards the bottom and shape becomes circular at the boundary A-Bforming a conical object. Bottom portion of cell starts as circularopening with diameter smaller than top of the cell and merges in to asmaller diameter tube. This tube can be a rigid or flexible based onrequirements. Height of cell can be varied in ratio with diameter of topto vary the efficiency of the cell.

All internal surface of Energy Cell and tubes providing output for Solarenergy will have reflective coating. Alternatively internal and externalspace of cell can be filled with different material to provide totalinternal reflection at the internal surface of the cell similar to asused in optical fiber used in communication systems. This helps guidethe waves inside it.

All internal surface of Energy Cell and tubes for electromagnetic energycan be coated with suitable material which acts as reflecting surfacefor the wavelengths in the spectrum being captured.

Type-I: In this type cell will have vertical dividing walls in the topportion. Top can be covered with transparent surface to prevent anythingfalling inside.

Type-II: Here a convex cell is placed at the mouth of the cell, whichhelps collimate light inside the cell.

Energy Collector (FIG. 2)

This describes the Energy collector based on type-II energy cell.Multiple cells can be placed in a plane to collect energy for a biggersurface area. These collectors can be placed on building roofs, walls,windows or any suitable surface where the radiation being captured areavailable. Output from these collector can be taken to destination forvarious use.

Infrared and ultraviolet filters can be applied at the output when itsused for lighting application to avoid heating and harmful ultravioletradiation.

Energy Collector (FIG. 3)

This describes the Energy collector based on type-I energy cell. Exceptfor being based on type-I Energy Cell, its same as Energy Collectordescribed above.

Energy Combiner (FIG. 4)

This describes the arrangement to combine output of Energy collectorinto less no. of tubes. This will result in more energy concentration.

Solar Heating Element (FIG. 5)

This describes the arrangement to convert energy output from Energycollector to heat which could be used for any application requiringheating. For most part this is same as type-II Energy cell withexception that energy is an input from the tube at its bottom and at thetop it has black body cover which absorbs all energy input and radiatesoutside the cell from top in the form of heat. The black dot on theinput tube represents the intensity control/ON/OFF switch.

Solar Lamp (FIG. 6)

This is similar to Solar Heating Element except the top cover is a madeof translucent material so that it diffuses all the light coming asinput.

1. Energy Cell comprising of conical shaped module with two parts asshown in FIG.
 1. These could be of two types. Type-I is based onprincipal of reflectivity of internal surface used for concentratingSolar/Electromagnetic energy to small diameter( smaller than the topopening diameter of the Cell) tube. This type will be covered withtransparent material to avoid any extraneous object falling into thecell. Type-II uses convex lens at the top opening of the cell. In bothtypes internal surface of cell is coated with a substance to providereflectivity to the waves(Solar/Electromagnetic) being captured. Topopening can be of any shape like hexagon/octagon/circle etc. Ratio ofdiameter of top opening and height of cell can be selected to adjust theefficiency of the cell. If needed cell can be made as single piece. 2.Energy Collector comprising of multiple Energy Cells as shown in FIG. 2and FIG.
 3. This can provide output from multiple tubes. This output canbe combined to reduce the no. of outlets. This will be in the shape offew inches thick plane with some output tubes.
 3. Solar Heating elementcomprising of conical object as shown in FIG.
 5. Top cover will be madeof black body material. This will take energy from Energy collector asinput and convert into heat, which will be radiated through the topcurved surface. Provides an intensity control switch.
 4. Solar Lampcomprising of conical object as shown in FIG.
 6. Top cover will be madeof translucent material. This will take concentrated light from Energycollector as input and diffuse into through the translucent top surface.Infrared and ultraviolet filters can be placed inside to remove heat andharmful ultraviolet radiation. Provides an intensity control switch.